Buying Used Kirby


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Thread Number: 25161
Buying Used Kirby

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Post# 282761 6/2/2014 at 14:24 (3,614 days old) by portapower (BRUNSWICK)
Checkrate/Likes Hi everyone. I am new to this site and wondered if anyone could give me advice on buying a used Kirby. I was browsing on E-bay and got overwhelmed by all the choices! I am looking for a reliable self propelled model for everyday home use but there seems to be a slew of different models. Also a little worried about used vacuums infested with bed bugs or fleas. Anyone have problems with that after buying used? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

Post# 282769 , Reply# 1 6/2/2014 at 14:53 (3,614 days old) by sptyks (Skowhegan, Maine)
Checkrate/Likes *Used Kirby...* The self propelled Kirby's would be the G3 made in 1991 through the Sentria II which is the current model. How much are you willinmg to spend? This will help us reccomend the appropriate models for your price range. I wouldn't worry about fleas or bed bugs because the seller should have removed the inner bag before shipment. If the inside of the outer bag is dirty or smelly, then it can be removed and washed in your washer on gentle cycle. When I bought my Sentria on ebay, the seller had cleaned the machine up like brand new. He even polished and buffed the aluminum so that it looked new as well. Be sure you look closley at all of the seller's photos before you bid.

Post# 282771 , Reply# 2 6/2/2014 at 14:57 (3,614 days old) by sptyks (Skowhegan, Maine)
Checkrate/Likes *Portapower,* I 'm sorry. I meant to welcome you to the forum in my previous post. You will find the members here are friendly and eager to help newcommers.

Post# 282777 , Reply# 3 6/2/2014 at 15:22 (3,614 days old) by portapower (BRUNSWICK)
Checkrate/Likes *sptyks,* Thanks for the welcome. I want to stay under $200 if possible. This is my first time doing something like this so for now, I'm just dipping my toe in the water so to speak.

Post# 282801 , Reply# 4 6/2/2014 at 16:41 (3,614 days old) by MikePdx ()
Checkrate/Likes *Hello and Welcome* I am back from a long time away, but any of the G series should be a nice and powerful cleaner for what you need. I would also check your vac shops locally, I have seen G3 and G4's with a 30-90 day warranty from the vac shops around here for as low as $90 or so. Another advantage to that route is you would be able to test them. I don't care for the self-propel feature myself, and I only learned that after using my ex's Kirby G4. I have a 561 and a Classic 1CB Omega that I prefer. But the G's all clean great in my experience.

Post# 282809 , Reply# 5 6/2/2014 at 17:42 (3,614 days old) by sptyks (Skowhegan, Maine)
Checkrate/Likes Portapower, here is a link to a Kirby G3 which is self-propelled and looks to be in like new condition: http://www.ebay.com/itm/KIRBY-GENERATION... The seller is a liquidization company so this G3 may be new. You can bid but I wouldn't go over $150.00

Post# 282810 , Reply# 6 6/2/2014 at 17:54 (3,614 days old) by sptyks (Skowhegan, Maine)
Checkrate/Likes Here's another one. This one could be worth up to $200.00 since it has the carpet shampoo system included: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kirby-G-Series-2... Double click to Check out the photos at the bottom of the listing.

Post# 282811 , Reply# 7 6/2/2014 at 18:03 (3,614 days old) by sptyks (Skowhegan, Maine)
Checkrate/Likes This is probably the best deal of the day. $79.00 BUY IT NOW no bidding! http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kirby-G5-Upright... A little bit of polishing and it should look like new.

Post# 282857 , Reply# 8 6/2/2014 at 22:34 (3,614 days old) by KirbyClassicIII (Milwaukie, Oregon)
Checkrate/Likes Stan, and "portapower," The G3 originally begun sales in 1990 here, but for some reason exports for this model to Europe and other countries worldwide didn't occur until 1992. I recommend you find any Kirby from the model Dual Sanitronic 50 (D50) through the Legend II, since if you intend to use the hose, the suction will be better compared to the pre-D50 models. ~Ben

Post# 282869 , Reply# 9 6/3/2014 at 00:11 (3,614 days old) by man114 (Buffalo NY)
Checkrate/Likes I wouldn't be concerned about buying it used if it can be verified to be in good working order. I bought a beautiful classic 3 for about $20. I polished it until it gleamed like new. Unfortunately it is well overdue for it again. I regularly see them at thrift stores around here of varying ages. I've never paid over $20 for any of them, the newest being a G5. As far as bedbugs/bags, I'd be more concerned to check the fan blades in case someone got the wise idea to do something not so smart. My single biggest gripe with Kirby has always been how heavy it is and how much extra work is required to use attachments. I've always preferred canisters to uprights for attachment ease. I generally use the uprights for quick carpet jobs but canisters for the whole deal. I've always had a bias towards a good bagless, my wife enjoys the Rainbow. What I like about the Rainbow is a lot of its tools are cool and genuinely useful and easy to use. They actually have done a lot to improve them, compare a 1996 D4 to the current model E2b. The MiniJet, RainJet, Aquamate and Supermop are all extremely easy to use and quite effective, they extract well as carpet cleaners due to the motor power. If I want to comprehensively do a lot of stuff the Rainbow, or most any canister with a lot of tools is a lot more useful. I prefer the Kirby when I want a straight carpet cleaning. Of all of mine I prefer the Classic 3 and rather push it myself than the self propelled models. A key thing to be advised is make sure the height is adjusted properly. A lot of people don't. On Rainbow demos I have had with Kirby owners a lot either have it digging in too much or too high so it skips across the carpet. A point to note. The Kirby cleans well... If you have the height adjusted properly. I did a demo recently where the people had two Kirby's and it was the worst I've been on. They put a new bag on theirs before they swept because they thought that the airflow was the problem, the vac went thump thump thump as they used it, they had the height too high. Had nearly 1/2 inch of thick mud when they vacuumed a 10x12 small sitting room. It was quite disgusting, it was beyond just a bit it looks worse in water. It was also very avoidable. I'm not sure who sold them the Kirby but that was a lot of dirt and would have made even a $40 vac shine, if they were slightly lower on their height setting that would have been much less of an embarrassment to them. It wasn't even my fault, they simply were never really told (I informed them). The reason I'm telling you that is because the cleaning difference if the height is wrong is quite substantial, I'm free to mess around with these vacs all the time since I own them (and have to practice Rainbow demos, since I back my wife up on it being the only vac that doesn't trigger her asthma). If you ever decide you want something that you actually want to use all those extra tools on, the Rainbow is the simplest I've used for diversity of its tools, but you don't have to pay for the newest model if you can't afford it. Everything from the single speed E Series on up interchanges as far as attachments but you need the newest hose for water pickup (unless you have the previous liquid hose) and the most recent powerhead needs the the wand portion. Technically you can make anything fit if you really want to even to a D4 if you mess around, wiring harnesses are abound. The D4 is one heck of a workhorse, can't tell you how many I called from 1986 just today to see if they needed service that were going strong after 28 years, it makes me reluctant to get rid of mine ever. I can tell you used is the way to go, by all means. I can tell you I bought 3 Kirby's, 2 Rainbows and 2 Dysons for less than 1/3 you could talk a Kirby dealer down to on a good day, and the two Dysons were new and my E Series was the current model when I got it.

Post# 282890 , Reply# 10 6/3/2014 at 06:32 (3,613 days old) by kirbymodel2c (Nottingham, England)
Checkrate/Likes 1 Hi Hi Portapower. Welcome to the site. As Stan says you will probably find a good deal on ebay if you take your time. If I was you I'd spend a bit more and buy a Kirby that has been cleaned and serviced by someone who has a idea what their doing. Hopefully they will have plenty of pictures etc so you can see what your buying. Even ask any questions you have before you bid/buy. Here's one for example.... http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kirby-Ultimate-G-Full-Set-/321418085762?pt=US_Vacuum&hash=item4ad602c582 Your making a great choice going for a Kirby. As long as there maintained well and you use genuine parts as well knowing how to use it correctly they deep clean better than the other stuff on the market at both ends of the market including the high end side. I've tended to be disappointed by most of the bypass systems on carpet. Let use know what you go for. James

Post# 282891 , Reply# 11 6/3/2014 at 06:36 (3,613 days old) by kirbymodel2c (Nottingham, England)
Checkrate/Likes http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kirby-Ultimate-G...

Post# 282898 , Reply# 12 6/3/2014 at 10:10 (3,613 days old) by vac-o-matic (Saint Louis, Mo.)
Checkrate/Likes I would get that Ultimate G at the BIN price, even with shipping, not bad. Looks to be in excellent shape! It does have an offer pending.

Post# 282901 , Reply# 13 6/3/2014 at 10:13 (3,613 days old) by sptyks (Skowhegan, Maine)
Checkrate/Likes *Portapower,* That Ultimate G that james posted above is a fantastic deal. It looks to very clean and in excellent condition. This is a self propelled model. The price is very fair. I would jump on it if I were you. I prefer the self propelled Kirby's over the earlier non self propelled models. Good luck!

Post# 283023 , Reply# 14 6/4/2014 at 03:46 (3,612 days old) by tolivac (Greenville,NC)
Checkrate/Likes Used Kirby-I would strongly prefer to buy the machine locally--and look at,handle,and try the machine BEFORE buying.You can't do this on EBay or Craigslist.If you buy the machine from a local vac shop-good chance they will provide a warrantee for the machine.The Greenville Sew&Vac does this.They get Kirby trade ins for other machines.Seen lots of Sentrias go through that shop to other users.Or--if yoy want to pay the price buy the Kirby new from a Kirby dealer-yes you get the demo-but you can "tune" the price down-and you get the REAL Kirby warranty!Plus the salesperson will show you how to use the machine-the local sew & Vac does this,too.The local fellow here can provide bags and service-like replacing fans,cords,etc.

Post# 283046 , Reply# 15 6/4/2014 at 09:17 (3,612 days old) by BikerRay (Middle Earth)
Checkrate/Likes If you want self propelled go with a G series. A word of caution, I've seen Kirbys on ebay that the seller lists as motor and transmission when that model is NOT self propelled (such as a Heritage). I picked up a really nice G4 at Goodwill for about $40 dollars.

Post# 283134 , Reply# 16 6/4/2014 at 17:04 (3,612 days old) by portapower (BRUNSWICK)
Checkrate/Likes *everyone,* Thanks so much for all the good info and recommendations. I think I'm going to check some local thrift stores and vacuum repair shops to get a feel for some of the different models and see what the prices are.

Post# 283160 , Reply# 17 6/4/2014 at 20:26 (3,612 days old) by vintagevaclover (Athens, GA)
Checkrate/Likes There is a really good website that sell reconditioned Kirbys and they sell all the self propelled ones. They also come fully loaded w/ attachments. It's called greatvacs.com CLICK HERE TO GO TO vintagevaclover's LINK

Post# 283876 , Reply# 18 6/9/2014 at 16:51 (3,607 days old) by portapower (BRUNSWICK)
Checkrate/Likes 2 Just an update. I was trolling around on E-bay and put a bid on an Ultimate G with all the attachments including shampooer. Long story short I won the bid !!! Got it for $102 and some change. I'm so excited! It shipped today. This will be my very first Kirby. Can't wait! An Ultimate G. Thanks to everyone for the great advice. I will keep you all updated when it arrives.

Post# 283884 , Reply# 19 6/9/2014 at 17:22 (3,607 days old) by Gr8DaneDad ()
Checkrate/Likes 1 Great Score! Enjoy it and post pictures once you get it!

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